CHENNAI: This match is more than just another day in the office. Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru isn’t quite the El Clasico of IPL because the head-to-head is a bit lop-sided in CSK’s favour. But there’s an element of rivalry that creates a sense of a derby.
A lot of it has to do with the proximity of the two southern megapolis – it’s just a six-hour drive from Bengaluru to Chennai – and the two sets of fans can really get passionate about their teams. Add to that the bit of heckling that the CSK fans had to deal with in Bengaluru after their loss in the virtual quarterfinal to RCB last year, and there will be an added zing to this contest on Friday.
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CSK haven’t lost to RCB at the MA Chidambaram Stadium since 2008, but this time the local fans can create a bit of ruffle. TOI looks at the reasons that can turn the historically one-sided match into a bit of a contest.
Kohli’s single-minded focus
If you have been following Virat Kohli, you’ll know that the modern master hardly ever bats long on two back-to-back days ahead of a game. That’s exactly what he did at the Chepauk on Wednesday and Thursday, getting practice bowlers to simulate the CSK spin trio of R Ashwin, Noor Ahmad and Ravindra Jadeja.
While on a slightly spin-friendly pitch, the pressure will be squarely on Kohli and captain Rajat Patidar to deal with the threat, RCB mentor Dinesh Karthik insists that the former skipper is absolutely determined to turn things around. While Kohli is the beacon, there’s something clinical about Patidar’s game that should give RCB the confidence.
CSK, too, know these two are the crucial wickets they need on a spin-friendly pitch. “They have strengthened their team as most franchises have, but if we keep these two players quiet, it will help,” CSK coach Stephen Fleming said.
Pathirana’s injury scare
CSK’s Sri Lankan pace spearhead Matheesha Pathirana is dealing with an injury that kept him out of the first game. The buzz is that he may not be fit soon and Fleming didn’t want to answer on the fitness status of the superb slinger. He avoided the question once, and on being probed a second time, he said: “He is getting better.” But there have been reports that Pathirana isn’t going to get fit soon, which will significantly reduce CSK’s potency in the middle-overs and at the death.
Nathan Ellis, with his cutters, isn’t a bad option, but Kohli & Co. wouldn’t exactly be having sleepless nights.
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